Floribunda rose plant named &#39;Olijdum&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of rose plant of the Spray Class is provided which abundantly forms attractive dark red double blossoms in the form of a well-balanced spray. The buds are globular in configuration and the bud heights are substantially uniform within the spray. An erect growth habit is exhibited. The foliage is light green and contrasts nicely with the dark red blossoms. The plant is well suited for the production of cut floral sprays under greenhouse growing conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The new variety of Floribunda rose plant was created byartificial pollination wherein two parents were crossed which previouslyhad been studied in the hope that they would contribute the desiredcharacteristics. The female parent (i.e., the seed parent) of the newvariety was the ‘Red Ace’ variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,840). The maleparent (i.e., the pollen parent) of the new variety was the ‘Idole’variety (non-patented in the United States). The parentage of the newvariety can be summarized as follows:

‘Red Ace’×‘Idole’.

[0002] The seeds resulting from the above pollination were sown andsmall plants were obtained which were physically and biologicallydifferent from each other. Selective study resulted in theidentification of a single plant of the new variety.

[0003] It was found that the new variety of Floribunda rose plant of thepresent invention possesses the following combination ofcharacteristics:

[0004] (a) forms in abundance attractive globular buds in the form of avery uniform spray,

[0005] (b) forms in abundance attractive dark red double blossoms,

[0006] (c) exhibits an erect growth habit, and

[0007] (d) forms attractive semi-glossy light green foliage.

[0008] Also, the spray inflorescence is well balanced, and its dark redblossom coloration contrasts nicely with the light green foliage. Thebud height tends to be substantially uniform within a spray.

[0009] The new variety of the present invention can be readilydistinguished from its parental varieties. More specifically, ‘Red Ace’is a Miniature rose that forms smaller delicate flowers, and ‘Idole’ isa Hybrid Tea rose that displays orange-red flowers.

[0010] The new variety well meets the needs of the horticulturalindustry. It is particularly well-suited for use in the production ofcut floral sprays under greenhouse growing conditions.

[0011] The new variety has been found to undergo asexual propagation inFrance by a number of routes, including budding, grafting, and cuttage.Asexual propagation by the above-mentioned methods as performed inFrance has shown that the characteristics of the new variety arestrictly transmissible from one generation to another.

[0012] The new variety has been named the ‘Olijdum’ variety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

[0013] The accompanying photograph shows as nearly true as it isreasonably possible to make the same, in a color illustration of thischaracter, typical specimens of the plant parts of the new variety. Therose plants of the new variety were two years of age were observedduring April while growing on Rosa indica understock in greenhouses atLeCannet des Maures, Var, France.

[0014]FIG. 1—illustrates a specimen of a young shoot;

[0015]FIG. 2—illustrates a specimen of a floral bud before the openingof the sepals;

[0016]FIG. 3—illustrates a specimen of a floral bud at the opening ofthe sepals;

[0017]FIG. 4—illustrates a specimen of a floral bud at the opening ofthe petals;

[0018]FIG. 5—illustrates a specimen of a flower during the course ofopening;

[0019]FIG. 6—illustrates a specimen of an open flower—plan view—obverse;

[0020]FIG. 7—illustrates a specimen of an open flower—plan view—reverse;

[0021]FIG. 8—illustrates a specimen of a fully open flower—planview—obverse;

[0022]FIG. 9—illustrates a specimen of a fully open flower—planview—reverse;

[0023]FIG. 10—illustrates a specimen of a floral receptacle showing thearrangement of the stamens and pistils;

[0024]FIG. 11—illustrates a specimen of a floral receptacle showing thearrangement of the pistils (stamens removed);

[0025]FIG. 12—illustrates a specimen of a flowering stem;

[0026]FIG. 13—illustrates a specimen of a main branch;

[0027]FIG. 14—illustrates specimens of two leaves with threeleaflets—plan view—upper surface (top) and under surface (bottom);

[0028]FIG. 15—illustrates a specimen of a leaf with five leaflets—planview—under surface; and

[0029]FIG. 16—illustrates specimens of two leaves with sevenleaflets—plan view—upper surface (left) and under surface (right).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The chart used in the identification of the colors is that of TheRoyal Horticultural Society (R.H.S. Colour Chart). When more commoncolor terms are utilized they are to be accorded customary dictionarysignificance. The description is based on two year-old specimens of thenew variety which were observed during April while budded on Rosa indicaunderstock and growing in greenhouses at LeCannet des Maures, Var,France. Dimensions in centimeters are provided at the bottom of thephotograph.

[0031] Class: Floribunda.

[0032] Plant:

[0033]Height.—a plant pruned to a height of 85 cm. commonly producesfloral stems having a length of approximately 40 to 60 cm.

[0034]Habit.—erect.

[0035] Branches:

[0036]Color.—young stems: near Green Group 137A and somewhat suffusedwith reddish coloration. adult wood: near Green Group 137A.

[0037]Thorns.—size: small (as illustrated). quantity: numerous (asillustrated). configuration: substantially straight on the uppersurface, and slightly concave on the under surface with a narrow base onthe under surface. color: near Greyed-Orange Group 165B on adult wood.

[0038] Leaves:

[0039]Petioles.—rather glandular on the upper surface, and with a fewprickles on the under surface. The coloration is near Green Group 137Bon the upper side and near Yellow-Green Group 147B on the under side.

[0040]Stipules.—adnate, pectinate, and rather broad.

[0041]Leaflets.—number: 3, 5 (most often), and 7. shape: elliptic.texture: rather consistent. serration: regular. general appearance: verydense, light green, and semi-glossy. color (young foliage): uppersurface: Green Group 137B and suffused with reddish brown. undersurface: Green Group 137B and suffused with reddish brown. color (adultfoliage): upper surface: Green Group 137B. under surface: Greyed-GreenGroup 191A.

[0042] Inflorescence:

[0043]Number of flowers.—commonly approximately 6 to 15 per stem. Theresulting spray is very uniform in the sense that the buds are locatedclose to each other at more or less the same level.

[0044]Peduncle.—rigid, near Greyed-Green Groups 191A in coloration, andapproximately 5 to 8 cm. in length on average.

[0045]Pedicel.—rigid, near Greyed-Green Group 191A in coloration, andapproximately 7.5 cm. in length on average.

[0046]Sepals.—tomentose and near Greyed-Green Group 191A in colorationwith very few extensions.

[0047]Buds.—shape: globular. length: approximately 1.5 to 2 cm. onaverage. size: medium for the Class. color upon opening: upper surface:near Greyed-Purple Group 187A. under surface: near Greyed-Purple Group187A.

[0048]Flower.—form: with somewhat parallel sides. diameter:approximately 6.5 cm. on average. color (when opening begins): uppersurface: near Red Group 46A suffused with Red-Purple Group 59A. undersurface: near Red Group 46A suffused with Red-Purple Group 60A. color(when blooming): upper surface: near Red Group 46A suffused withRed-Purple Group 59A. under surface: between Red Group 46A and Red Group53A. color (at end of opening): upper surface: Red Group 46A suffusedwith Red-Purple Group 59A and with a velvet aspect. under surface: RedGroup 53A. fragrance: none. petal number: approximately 35 on average.petal configuration: with undulated margins and a reflexed tip on theoutermost petals. petal drop: good, the petals commonly detach cleanly.anthers: yellow-ochre in coloration. stamen number: approximately 80 onaverage. filaments: yellow in coloration. pistil number: approximately60 on average. stigmas: yellow in coloration. styles: straw-colored.receptacle: near Greyed-Green Group 191A in coloration, smooth, and inlongitudinal section in the shape of a pitcher. lasting quality:approximately 10 to 12 days on the plant, and approximately 10 to 12days when cut and placed in a vase.

[0049] Development:

[0050]Vegetation.—strong.

[0051]Blooming.—abundant.

[0052]Aptitude to bear fruit.—none.

[0053]Resistance to diseases.—very good with respect to Botrytis andMildew.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of spray rose plant characterizedby the following combination of characteristics: (a) forms in abundanceattractive globular buds in the form of a very uniform spray, (b) formsin abundance attractive dark red double blossoms, (c) exhibits an erectgrowth habit, and (d) forms attractive semi-glossy light green foliage;substantially as herein shown and described, and the parts thereof.